Medical Dictionary
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46. catheter
(cath-eh-tur) A thin, flexible tube through which fluids enter or leave the body; e.g., a tube to drain urine.
47. cell
The basic unit of which all living things are made. cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). the processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.
48. cell morphology
Refers to cell types or structure.
49. cellulitis
Usually means a diffuse infection of the skin and underlying tissue.
50. central nervous system
Refers to the brain and spinal cord.
51. central venous line
A method of giving iv fluids, blood products and medicines by surgically inserting a catheter into a neck vein that passes into your other large blood vessels. there are many different types of central line catheters that may have multiple ports or lumens. multiple ports allow more than one iv solution to be given simultaneously. blood can also be withdrawn from this type of catheter.
52. charts
Your written medical records.
53. chemotherapy
Using chemical agents or drugs to destroy malignant cells. chemotherapy is often used with surgery or radiation to treat cancer. some chemotherapy treatment plans have different phases: induction -intensive treatment used to produce a complete remission. maintenance Ð drugs given after the initial ÒinductionÓ to maintain the remission
54. chronic
A disease process that develops over a long period of time and progresses slowly.
55. clinical
In general, pertaining to observation and treatment of patients.
56. clinical trials
human research studies that test new drugs or treatments and compare them to current, standard treatments. before a new treatment is used on people, it is studied in the lab. if lab studies suggest the treatment works, it is tested with patients. these human studies are called clinical trials. questions the researchers want to answer are: does this treatment work? does it work better than the one we use now? what side effects does it cause? do the benefits outweigh the risks? your doctor may suggest a clinical trial. participation is voluntary.
57. cobalt treatment
Radiotherapy using gamma rays generated from the breakdown of radioactive cobalt 60.
58. colon
The large intestine.
59. colony stimulating factors
Types of growth factors that promote growth and division of blood-producing cells in the bone marrow. csfs are naturally produced in the body but extra amounts may be given as a treatment to reduce or prevent certain side effects of chemotherapy due to not having enough blood cells. see growth factors
60. complementary therapy
Therapies used in addition to conventional therapy. some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of conventional cancer therapy, or improve a patientÕs sense of well-being.
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